Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1887-05-12
Thursday, May IL, 1887.

THE Gazette alleges that ex- Auditor
Barrett has been abused in these COL
umns, and the able editor expresses the
opinion that newspaper readers want
facts, instead of opinions.
The impression prevails that some
very naeaty facts have been presented,
and that the able editor of the Gazette
has not in a single instance met nor re4
futed one of them. Let as recall few
of the facts:
Fact No. 1. That the sum total Of net
compensation received by the Commis'
sioners last year. about which the
Gazette has been making such an up
roar for several months past, was $5OS 72
each. Very nearly all their time was
occupied, and they were required to be
away from home and their private
business. The editor of the Gazette, OIL
the other hand, made claim for $1,000
for doing literally nothing, AS receiver
of the little narrow gauge railroad.
Fact ii. The Gazette for several years
has bought assessors blanks for about
81 per Thousand and sold them to the
county for over So per thousand. Civ
ing him from the county treasury, at
the hands of Democratic Auditors about
S45 annually for the labor of ordering
them and the postage Oh the letter.
Fact LII. X. r. Barrett, late Demo
cratic Auditor, put tax duplicates upon
which were charged taxes amounting to
about 100000 into the hands of the
County Treasurer for collection without
having iu his Office copy of the dupli-
Gates, and the collection of December
taxes was made without any check
whatever upon the Treasurer.
Fact Nv. Mr. Barrett's successor made
the Auditors copy, as 1t was bis duty TO
do. and the county will be required TO
pay him about $3.50 for work for which
Mr.. Barrett charged and received pay.
Fact V. Mr.. Barrett charged and re-
ceiVed pay for one years services under
the Dow law, when 10 fact his own
statement shows he was entitled to pay
for ten months only. This fact shows
that Mr.. Barrett received Ss3 81 that
lawfully belonged to his successor, aud
that the county will be required TO pay
him.
Fact vi. Mr.. Barrett appraised the
banks OF the county at S455.I4 while
the sworn valuation put upon their per-
soDal effects by the officers Of the banks
amounted TO Ss23.sOl. and the State
Board OF Equalization Of Bank Shares
added ,702 10 the Auditor valuation.
Fact VI. While the aggregate taxable
valuation OF this county has increased
about s9,0o0,000 within the fifteen years
last past. and the population Of the
county about $4,000, the personal yalua-
tion OF the county has increased but
SAC. 900, and OF this sum s446,340 Is from
new lines OF railway and the Bellaire
Nall Works, leaving the addition from
all other sources the magnificent Sum
OF $500. Within the time named twen'
ty.four incorporated companies have
been put In operation, including two
national banks and the large Standard
Iron Works. ut Bridgeport
The oDiy answer 10 oil this, 80 far, Is
q stupid attempt at wit, aud u yell that
some Commissioner has been paid one
dollar and u half more than he was entl-
tied 10. Ut some time. Suppose he has.
where does the responsibility attach.
10 The Avditor. II is necessary 10 TX by
Law the responsibility for the disburse'
ment Of public moneys somewhere, Our
lawmakers have Gxed IL upon the Audi
tor, 80 far as relates TO moneys In the
county treasury. No money can he
drawn from tbe treasury except upon
bis warrant, and mo money shall be
drawn from any county or township
treasury, except by authority of law"
says section Of article 10 Of the Con.
stitullon.
The columns OF this paper will testify |
that there has been no disposition to
abuse any one, great though the oppor'
tunitles are. Facts have been presented,
and deductions made from them that
must convince any fair.miuded man
thatthe Auditors Office has been abused |
by Democratic Auditors, and taxpayers
wronged and swindled.